Brendan Rodgers has warned Daniel Sturridge that he is already in the “last
chance” saloon if he wants to prove himself at the highest level.

Sturridge became Liverpool’s first purchase of the January transfer window following his £12 million switch from Chelsea.

His new manager immediately set the 23 year-old a challenge to justify the faith he has put in him.

“He has got quality. If he wants to stay at this level, this is probably his last chance,” Rodgers said. “The biggest thing is hunger. We are bringing in a player who knows he has to perform as he will be playing w ith one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“I have seen Sturridge come through since he was 12 years old at various clubs. He made a move as a young player to Chelsea and it has been difficult. But he is a goalscorer and the only real spell he has had where he played regularly was at Bolton, where he got goals. He gives us power and presence at the top end of the field.”

Sturridge denied claims that he only moved to Anfield from Chelsea on condition he play in a central striking role.

“I see myself as a striker. I think I perform best there because my attributes, I believe, are best as a central striker,” he said. “But I have played on the wing and have learnt a lot doing so. I’d never refuse to play in that position and I’ve never demanded to play up front, either. For me, whatever the manager wants me to do I will do.”

Sturridge’s move to Liverpool is also good news for his former club, Manchester City, who will receive a payment as part of the deal.

City are entitled to 15 per cent of any profit from Sturridge’s sale, a ­ruling of the tribunal which set his fee of an initial £3.5 million in ­January 2010. That figure eventually rose to £6.5 million after additional clauses were activated when Sturridge played for England and made more than 40 first-team appearances. It means City get around £825,000.